Middleboro cop assault suspect got out of jail early

Thomas F. Buttimer, 52, previously of Falmouth, was released from jail on June 14 of offenses late last year in Falmouth. Now, he faces charges he pointed a “long-barrel” rifle at Middleboro police early Friday morning in the aftermath of a shooting that left Norma DesRoche, 65, of 174 Highland St., Middleboro dead.

By Amy Carboneau

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

By Amy Carboneau

Posted Jul. 17, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 17, 2013 at 5:10 PM

By Amy Carboneau

Posted Jul. 17, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 17, 2013 at 5:10 PM

MIDDLEBORO

» Social News

Had Thomas Buttimer served his full sentence, he would have been in the Barnstable County jail when a Middleboro woman was killed and he was shot.

Instead, Thomas F. Buttimer, 52, previously of Falmouth, was released from jail on June 14.

And now, he faces charges after pointing a rifle at Middleboro police early Friday morning in the aftermath of a shooting that left Norma DesRoche, 65, of 174 Highland St., Middleboro dead.

Buttimer pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Tuesday in connection with the Middleboro incident that led to him being shot by police. He has not been charged in the fatal shooting of DesRoche.

In November, Falmouth police received a call from a man at an apartment home for people with disabilities that a man had entered his apartment with a knife, the Cape Cod Times reported at the time.

Buttimer was spotted leaving the apartment, and, when called to by police for questioning, charged at an officer with a knife, according to the article.

Charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, resisting arrest and armed assault to murder, Buttimer pleaded guilty in February to the first two charges. The third was dismissed upon request by the prosecutor, records show.

He was sentenced to six months in jail, but was given 56 days credit, leading to his release in June.

Buttimer has an extensive criminal background dating back to 1985 and failed to appear in court on 32 separate instances, a prosecutor detailed at his Wareham District Court arraignment on Tuesday.

His past convictions include assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assaulting a police officer, breaking and entering and several motor vehicle convictions including five drunken driving incidents.